Beta Technologies bet on the electric flight and the new Hyundai Tesla loading port is short

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Fifteen years ago, I started writing for a little start to EV, which was trying to survive, even when others failed in the cycle of a clean technological boom and bust. Then Tesla He had captured the interest of some celebrities and EV enthusiasts – but it was a small circle.

Since then, many has changed, including the profile of its largest shareholder and CEO, Elon Musk. Its companies that include SpacexTesla, X., Xai., Falseand The boring companymultiplied. And he uses it to find a talent to support Ministry of Government Efficiencyan entity established through the executive order of President Trump.

Recently, I put my institutional job knowledge – covering Musk all these years, learning a few things – and partnered with several TechCrunch editors and reporters. Our task was not only to identify people working in Doge, but also to help readers Understand their relationship with the Musk universeS

This is a living document – and one that we will regularly update as we continue our reporting. Do you have advice on DOCE, his workers or other related topics? Turn to me in kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com Or my signal in Kkorosec.07.

Ladder

You have advice for us? Send an email to KIRSEN KOROSEC to kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.comSean O’Kain at Sean.okane@techcrunch.comor Rebecca Belen on rebecca.bellan@techcrunch.comS Or check These instructions To learn how to contact us through encrypted messages or Secondrop applications.

Deals!

This week, the deals were darkened by a partnership that ended before it really started off, exclusion, bankruptcy and one dead IPO.

First, dressed hydrogen-electric truck producer Nicholas finally bankrupt Once you are unable to raise enough money to continue the operations or find a buyer. It was a long -standing battle for the company after suffering a series of scandals surrounding its founder and former CEO Trevor Milton, who was convicted of securities and wire fraud after making exaggerated claims for the company’s electric truck technology. We all remember that scandalously known marketing videoRight?

Meanwhile, car sharing startups for participation had a chaotic week.

GetaroundLaunch San Francisco and VC Darling has become a publicly traded SPAC, Turn off your US operations One year after a decrease of 30% of its workforce in North America as part of restructuring. Getaround said he is now focused on his European business, where he works in six countries, including Norway, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium and Austria.

The worst part of this exclusion was how the company manages it. The Council made the decision on February 7, but did not warn the owners and tenants for the closure until February 12. Oh, and their insurance coverage will expire by the end of the day.

Then there was Teachthat has cancel your long -awaited IPOS The company filed publicly in January 2022 for the initial public offering, but the conditions of the IPO changed shortly thereafter. Still, it seemed that the touro could finally IPO in 2025 – until he did it.

Other deals that caught my attention …

Aurora last week concluded an agreement for Sell ​​up to $ 500 million In stock on the offer “on the market”. Aurora said in his 2024 profit report that he has enough money to go through the original commercialization in April, but this agreement sets it to raise money in the future in the future if he needs the scales and to to It comes to positive cash flows.

CloseA group action for a ride based in Austin raised a $ 7.35 million in seeds circle Led by Mark Kuban, with participation by Y Combinator, Goodwater Capital and others.

Thehe $ 60 billion mega-dashing between Honda and Nissan He died. And according to Reuters sources, pride is partly guilty.

One partner partnersprivate capital company is acquisition Wheeler Fleet SolutionsCompany for the distribution of parts for sale. The conditions were not disclosed.

Saronicaa military producer of drones, has raised $ 600 million in funding in a $ 4 billion estimate. General catalyst led the circle in less than a three-year company.

Remarkable readings and other treats

Autonomous vehicles

AvrideAutonomous sidewalk delivery robots are already Deliver orders for Uber Eats Customers in Jersey City.

Waymo It seems that it can start a Membership programS Some Los Angeles customers have received an invitation to a study asking them which types of memberships will most likely choose. When asked, Weimo said that he regularly conducts research and experiments to understand what functions, promotions and experiences they may like, but they do not share anything else.

Serve robotics have Starts its Bottons for Shipping In Miami. The company also expanded its existing partnership with Shake Shack and added one more with Mister O1 Extraidine Pizza, so customers in Miami ordered these Uber Eats restaurants, they could supply them from Bot.

Electric vehicles, charging and batteries

Elon MuskPolitical activities – namely his participation in the Ministry of Government Efficiency – have turned some users against TeslaS Senior Reporter Sean Okain contacted two people who Organizes Tesla Takeover Movementwhich led to protests in Tesla showrooms in dozens of cities in the United States.

Blue whale materialsA lithium-ion battery recycling company has partnership with Call2recycle To improve recycling of batteries in the home and to meet the need for battery battery at home.

Flight

Beta has flew a little more under the radar than its competition in the electric aviation industry, but the launch is quietly growing business and collecting more pyelling hours than anyone else under the guidance of its tattoo, A mysterious founder and CEO Kyle ClarkHe writes senior reporter Rebecca Belen.

Thehe Trump administration fired hundreds to the employees of the federal aviation administration who maintain critical air traffic control infrastructure. The dismissals come as Spacex of Elon Musk has been eavesdropped To help create a new air traffic control system.

Microbility

Lime reported His second consecutive year should be positive for free cash flow. Scoter and Bike Share also said its corrected EBITDA exceeded $ 140 million in 2024, which is $ 94 million in 2023. These results are non -dietary, so take them with grain salt.

A ride and concert economy

Uber filed a case against Doordashaccusing the equipment for the delivery of suffocating competition by intimidating restaurant owners in exclusive deals.

This week’s wheels

We have returned with another edition of the wheels this week, this time with 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5which varies in the price between $ 43,975 and $ 59,575, depending on upholstery.

Associate Emme Hall He spent some time behind the wheel of this refreshed all -electrically compact SUV and found a lot to love. But There is one literal shortageAt least for now. This EV is equipped with the North American port of charging Tesla, but Hall has found that the location of the charging port does not match the Tesla Supercharger cable. It just didn’t reach.

This meant that she would have to wait for another Tesla to free up her space and use this charging cable, essentially occupying two spaces, or using the navigation in the car to find a CCS stationed station and use the adapter that comes with the car.

It’s not great. But here’s what was the great year of 2025. It comes to a new XRT upholstery, which includes a one-inch elevator and a 29-inch continental cross-tire cross-tire for better dirt and caplier characteristics. And this model year 2025, which also received several technological upgrades, is still ready on the sidewalk with well -balanced control and comfortable riding.

What is the “wheels for this week”? This is a chance to learn about the various transport products we are testing, whether it is an electric or hybrid car, an electronic bicycle or even driving in an autonomous vehicle.